KASHMIR DISPUTE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 129, 16 March 1950, Page 5

KASHMIR DISPUTE

SECURITY COUNCIL TO APPOINT MEDIATOR NEW YORK, March 14.1'. The United Nations Security Council to-day agreed* to appoint a mediator for the Kashmir dispute,,..which has been before the United Nations for two years. The voting on the resolution' was eight to none, with India and Yugoslavia abstaining. The Council’s decision ends another phase in the dispute between India and Pakistan. The first phase was the appointment of the Kashmir Commission of five men; and the second stage, was when the commission reported having reached a deadlock in its nego tiations. The mediator’s task will be. to supervise a programme of demilitarisation in the disputed territory, which is at present occupied by four types of forces. These are Indian regular forces, aided by Kashmir State forces on the one side, and Pakistan regular forces and Azad (Free) Kashmir forces on the other side. India accepted the Council’s decision with a few reservations about the method and timing of the 'demilitarisation. These same reservations caused the deadlock in the Kashmir Commission. Security Council circles hope that one-man mediation may overcome these obstacles.